The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-31
AFFAIRS OF THE RAILWAYS.

AFEAIkS UF IHE NAIL W n 10.
Express Companies and the Interstate Law.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 30.-Mr. w. 5. Chisholm,
general counsel of the Southern Express Com
pany has submitted to the Interstate-com-
merce Commission a printed answer to circu-
lar communication of the commission. in which
answer the company argues that It is not legally
bound TO furnish schedules of rates. Il is, says
the answer a corporation established under the
laws Of Georgia, using wagons railroads, steam
boats steamships and other vehicles OF convey
ance The use of railroads has always been the
subject matter of special contracts which differ
In their terms and conditions, and are subject to
change abrogation at the will Of the railroads.
The rates and charges of the express
company are, therefore. made up OF esti-
mated reasonable allowance for the of its
property, and for the use Of other lines
With one railroad it may contract for car space,
with another upon a tonnage basis, and to a
third il may pay percentage or its revenues
The answer quotes from opinion by Chief
justice Waite, sustaining the right of an express
company to make special contracts with rail-
roads, and it lkens the relations of the express
and the railroad to those between the railroads
and Postofice Department. or the Western
Union Telegraph Company. IL is submitted
that legislation to reverse established legal
principles should certainly make some reference
to the law principle to be changed; yet
Section of the interstate law not
only contains reference to express
companies but declares IN imam biguous language
that it's provisions apply only to railroads. The
schedules provided for are required to state the
places on the railroad, and contain the ciassin-
cation of freight in force upon the same, and
copies OF the schedule are required to be Kept IN
every station, yet the express company owns no
railroad; has no control over railroad rates or
classification, and has no offices or agents In
many OF the depots of lines with which it has
contracts. The sixth section, it Is averred, no
more requires publication of schedules OF
rates, fares, charges and classihcations
by express companies than by other customers
of railroads. Again, it is asked how would it be
practicable for the respondent TO make joint
contracts with several railroad lines, with some
Of which it may have percentage and with others
space or tonnage contracts. And what would be
the condition of respondent if forced to make
Joint contracts in more of the lines
observed the contracts and others did notE The
statute makes provision for the protection OF the
innocent rail line in such case but no provision
is made for the protection OF the express COM
pany.
Railroad Extensions in the South.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn, Aug. 30.-The. mountain
Gus section comprising Tennessee. southwest
Virginia, eastern Kentucky and western North
Carolina has at present only meagre railroad
facilities. but promises to soon be the scene OF
the greatest activity in railroad building over
known in the United States. The rich coal fields,
resources
nessee are beginning to attract the attention of
foreign capitalists and all the roads in the CEN
trail plateau will cross East Tennessee and tap
the coal fields either at Cumberland Gap or
Chattanooga. Knoxville is the center OF opera
tions, and the recent election. by which the city
voted $500, 900 to thu PowelPs Valley and Knox
vile Southern roads insures the carly compile
ton of several important lines. The following
is list of the proposed roads either building
under survey:
PowelIs Valley from Knoxville to Cumberland
Gap; 63 miles, ready for the contractors.
The Knoxville Southern, from Knoxville to Atlanta.
Ga. pol miles, 100 miles in operation and the
mander to be let within ninety days.
Knoxville Gap, between Rutherfordton and Knox
VIE TIE roiina' Knoxville Is & western, from Knox
vile TO Port Royal. s. G., and Augusta. Ca; 400
The Nashville g. Knoxville; 165 miles. SO miles
The Tennessee Midland. from Memphis to Bristow,
Tenn. 4SO miles, 135 under contract and the entire
The Nashville extension of the East Tennessee vir-
ginia s. Georgia from Knoxville to Nashville; 16o
Cumberland pateau exte sion of the East Tennes
see, Virginia g Gre, RIA. fr Emery Gap to South
Pittsburg Tenn; 115 miles.
The Cumberland Cape ension of the East Tennes
see, Virginia & Georgia; 80 miles, under survey.
son, Ala to Chattanoogs AZ miles. under survey.
The Cumberland Valley & Unaka: from Nashville to
The Athens 8 Jellico: "a miles already surveyed.
Cumberland CAP; 40 miles
The Char lesion, Cincinnati & Chicago. from
Charleston S. c., to Ashland KY, via Johnson City,
Tenn; $50 miles, under survey and partly under
tract.
A fifteen million dollar mortgage has been
placed upon the East Tennessee, Virginia &
Georgia to raise money for the proposed extern
sons. Money is already in bank to complete the
PowelIs Valley and Knoxville Southern roads.
Cumberland Gap seems to be the objective point
TO which nearly all the important Southern
roads reaching. The Louisville & Nashville
will reach the Gap inside of year. and the
Norfolk & Western year later. Over 100000
Of coal and timber land held by
English syndicate in that vicinity, and mines
already being developed Nearly all the rail-
road companies have money enough to carry ont
their plans, and will build their proposed roads
within the next five years.
B IL o. Directors Becoming Interested.
Gar id To- III